Graduates Accept `Dare`: Partying Without Drugs

School officials at St. Francis Academy in Joliet locked the doors on more than 200 high school seniors Wednesday night until 6 a.m. the following morning.

Never did so many enjoy incarceration so much.

The students -- 120 girls from St. Francis Academy and 102 boys from Joliet Catholic High School across the street -- will graduate this weekend. Having officially ended their high school careers earlier in the day, they opted to spend their first night of freedom holed up together for 10 hours of parent-sanctioned, ``chemical-free`` fun.

The event was officially called ``Project Graduation.`` Its slogan:

``Dare to be Different.``

Most of the kids didn`t look different. The majority, wearing T-shirts and ultra-bright Bermudas, could have been extras from the set of ``Beach Blanket Bingo.``

But their party was the first of its kind in northern Illinois.

``This is the night when they all want to get a little crazy,`` said St. Francis guidance counselor Rachel Krause, who helped several students organize the festivities. ``We wanted to show them that there are ways to have fun without drugs and alcohol.``

``Project Graduation`` originated in Maine in 1979 after 12 teens were killed in alcohol-related automobile accidents around graduation time. The concept of ``chemical-free`` parties is now spreading across the country.

Krause, along with students Laura Resh and Mary Mihelich, became interested in the idea after they attended a seminar sponsored by the Board of Education in Springfield last October.

Entertainment at the St. Francis affair included an all-night D.J., a

``Dunk the Deans`` competition, pie-eating contest, movies and tables full of food.

``This is our last shared experienceas the class of `86,`` bellowed John Yack, 17.

The students in attendance represented more than 50 percent of their respective graduating classes, and all seemed to think they`d made the appropriate party plans.

``A lot of serious drinking problems can start in high school,`` said David Wilber, 17. ``I think it`s pretty good that people can have fun without that.``

Entertainment committee chairman Mary Sluiter, 18, said she`s glad both schools have the chance to be together one last time in a big group, but then focused on the main reason for the party: ``At least for one night, we know that all our friends are safe.``